FIVE rural first schools in West Somerset are proposing to form a school federation and have started a six-week consultation for parents, carers and the wider community.

The move involves St Dubricius in Porlock, Timberscombe, Cutcombe, Exford and Dunster First Schools, and heads and governors at all the schools are backing the change to becoming part of the proposed Moorland Federation.

Drop-in consultation sessions with heads and governors have been arranged at each of the schools.

Letters and documents explaining the proposal, and a consultation response form, were sent out last week to parents and carers, and they are being urged to give their views before June 16.

The information makes clear the federation would be a way of bringing the schools closer together, with a single governing body to manage them, as a way of ensuring their future security and sustainability, and a continuity of education provision in their villages.

However, the schools would not merge or amalgamate. They would keep their individual status and identity, and nothing would change on a day to day basis – but there would be numerous benefits.

“We are all individual, small, first schools that will benefit from the formal affiliation – smaller schools are proven to be stronger and more successful when working together,” said Lucinda Allenby, chairman of governors at St Dubricius, in a statement on behalf of all the schools.

“I’m excited by the proposal, by the efficiencies it will bring and most importantly the opportunities it will present to our children now and in the future.”